Georgia: House Approves Ban on Marijuana-Flavored Candy

The State House passed a measure intended to stop businesses from selling lollipops, gumdrops and other candies flavored with hemp essential oil to taste like marijuana. The measure passed by a vote of 133 to 26 and now moves to the Senate. Marketers say the treats, which have drug-inspired names like Kronic Kandy and Pot Suckers, are a harmless novelty, and many advise retailers to sell the candy only to customers 18 or older. The legislation says the candies promote drug use and give children the “false impression that marijuana is fun and safe”; it would ban sales of the candies to minors and impose fines of up to $1,000 for each offense. Vote Hemp, a national organization that promotes the use of hemp products, said the measure would make Georgia the first state to ban the sale of the candy to minors. Sales have already been banned in Alameda County, Calif.; Chicago; and Suffolk County, N.Y.

A version of this brief appears in print on , on Page A15 of the New York edition with the headline: Georgia: House Approves Ban On Marijuana-Flavored Candy. Order Reprints|Today's Paper|Subscribe